A NEW ZEALAND LINER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9034, 27 February 1908, Page 3

A NEW ZEALAND LINER.

A handsome addition to the already fleet of steamers running between the Commonwealth and New Zealand is the twin-screw steamer "Ulimaroa," built to the order of Huddart, Parker and Co., Proprietary, Ltd., by Messrs Gourlay Bros., of Dundee, Scotland. Of a gross registered tonnage of 5,770 tons, she is 400 ft long between perpendiculars, and of 52ft beam, with a high forecastle head and bulwarks half her length to ensure dryness, even in the heaviest head seas. There is accommodation for 292 firstclass and 121 second-class passengers. The first-class is situated amidships, and consists principally of two and three berth cabins on the upper shelter and promenade decks. The dining-saloon seats 124, and an overflow saloon to seat 80 is also at hand. The music-room on the promenade deck is a magnificent apartment with luxurious divans and comfortable chairs; the dome and stained glass ports adding to the general tastefulness of the furnishing. A grand piano completes the equipment. The smok-ing-room, also on the promenade deck, is panelled in oak and upholstered with morocco, and card tables are comfortably arranged. A smaller smoking-room and ladies morning room, with piano, are on the shelter deck. The second-chss passengers are accommodated forward of the first-class on the upper and shelter dicks in roomy cabins. Plain, but comfortable, dining-saloon, smokingroom and ladies sitting-room are provided for these passengers. The vessel is driven by two sets of triple expansion engines, driving twinscrews, and indicating 6,000 horsepower capable of maintaining a speed of 16 knots. Steam is supplied by seven single-ended boilers. The ''Ulimaroa" will take the place of the "Wimmera" in the Sydney to Melbourne, via Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin, -Bluff, and Hobart trade, the "Wimmera" replacing the "Zealandia" in the Sydney, Auckland, Dunedin trade.